I'll admit it's been quite awhile since I've priced sleeping bags, so I am out of the loop a bit. I do remember WM being a premier company but, I am curious as to why their bags are soooooo expensive? It seems that their least expensive bags are 5-6 hundred bucks! Which is about double that of other reputable (as I recall) companies.

My question: what sets them apart to the justifiable point that their bags are so much more expensive?

Need to explore the line some more.
My current summer bag is a BA HorseThief retailed 2015 new around $350. A new WM replacement of similar construction materials and rating is MityLite currently $390
Winter bag is a BA Pomer Hoit 2012 new $500. Close WM replacement Versalite $600
Not that bad at all for an arguably better made bag. Sure you can go over $1000 with a -25 Goretex Puma, but you need to compare apples to apples.
Past that down prices keep rising, quality build and customer satisfaction keep adding to cost. Value is a relative thing, I value longevity way more than cost and buy accordingly, others may choose cost as a more important item.

butthead

Just go with a UGQ quilt. Comoanys like NW bags and EE quilts can't help themselves, the more successful they become the more they charge just for their name. Oakley-syndrome I call it.

Personally and reading claims from customers their temp ratings are right on, their bags are lighter...generally a 30 degree bag will keep you warm down to 25 degrees with a good pad. For example a mytilyte weighs 1.5 pounds and will keep,ya warm down to 25 degrees...for $470...while a comparable bag may or may not keep you warm at the same temps and weighing in at a higher weight for $100 less.

Worth it? Really depends on what you want or need. You can find even cheaper bags but they weigh more which may or may not matter.

For the BWCAW you can get an 35 degree bag from WM (caribou) and trust it for 3 seasons for $375 that is only 1.3#...just depends if that is a good deal...

T

My intent here wasn't/ isn't to necessarily deride WM.

Just wanted to know if there is a 'jump off the page' reason why their bags are substantially more expensive. For example, most of their mid temp range bags cost as much or more than my -40 Marmot winter bag ( which has been and is an awesome bag!)?

I agree with butthead about durability being an essential element to consider. But, to that point, I have used the same bag for over 20 years now and it's still going strong maintaining it temperature rating etc. And know a good number of folks who have similar durability claims with other bag brands (Marmot, Kelty, Nemo etc. that were far less expensive) as well. I consider that great durability.

Both companies make good products and have good reputations. It's hard to compare bags without comparable information. The best source I know of for comparative reviews is Outdoor Gear Lab. The Marmot CWM -40 bag is $799, the WM Puma -25 bag is $895, a $96 difference. I don't see that either has an EN rating, so it's hard to compare the temp ratings. The WM website gives fill weight and loft in inches, but the Marmot site does not, so can't compare that. The WM is about 1 lb. lighter. WM is made in America.

And then there's Feathered Friends: Feathered friends

A discussion of WM vs FF: Discussion

I've used Marmot bags for years. Their 850 fill bags are much nicer than the 600. For what it's worth, I had a Camp 7 down bag I used for almost 40 years, and it was 550. Of course it wasn't as warm as it was originally, but still quite functional.

Isn't a (large) part of the price difference that WM bags are made in the USA and many other "comparables" from a materials/features standpoint are not?

Having handled Western Mountaineering, Nunatak, and Feathered Friends sleeping bags I will say it is the quality of materials and construction over source of manufacture.
The improvement compared to my BA System bags was easily determinable.
The only reason I went with BA is that they cycle current models often creating a source of close-outs and old versions often at a big discount. Last 2 trips out west I looked and handled several varieties. While I had the budgeted $$$ to buy, the 1/2 price older version of BA bags seemed quite sufficient in temperature range and weights. If I need a new bag for some reason and can't find one at a real cost savings I will not hesitate to go with the top of the line WM, Nunatak, FF, or something custom built to specifications.

butthead

I do not doubt that they are quality bags. But, I have purchased much less expensive bags and the temp ratings have been accurate and the durability (2 decades of steady use) have been excellent.

So the question remains, why are WM bags so much more expensive? From what I can gather here, the points that have been brought up are 1.) They may save a few ounces vs comparable temp rating bags and 2.) They are made in the USA, where some others may not be.

Thanks everyone for the input.

butthead: "the 1/2 price older version of BA bags seemed quite sufficient in temperature range and weights.


butthead"

Where and when did you pick up a BA bag for 1/2 off?

Both the bags I listed Horse Thief and Pomer Hoit bought on clearance sales. 2014 Horse Thief $200 and the Pomer Hoit $240, internet sale prices. Both bags had been discontinued.

butthead

butthead: "Both the bags I listed Horse Thief and Pomer Hoit bought on clearance sales. 2014 Horse Thief $200 and the Pomer Hoit $240, internet sale prices. Both bags had been discontinued.


butthead"

Thanks. I see BA has the mystic ul on special right now.

Do you have any opinion on Montbell? For example their
Down Hugger 650 #1 .

rdgbwca: "

butthead: "Both the bags I listed Horse Thief and Pomer Hoit bought on clearance sales. 2014 Horse Thief $200 and the Pomer Hoit $240, internet sale prices. Both bags had been discontinued.



butthead"

Thanks. I see BA has the mystic ul on special right now.


Do you have any opinion on Montbell? For example their
Down Hugger 650 #1 ."

I have a couple of Montbell’s they are very good. If you can swing it the 800 version is better. I use the #3 for 3 season BWCAW use—-the one you linked too is way overkill for that in IMHO. Used to be able to find them on sale at Campsaver....

timatkn: "
I have a couple of Montbell’s they are very good. If you can swing it the 800 version is better. I use the #3 for 3 season BWCAW use—-the one you linked too is way overkill for that in IMHO. Used to be able to find them on sale at Campsaver...."

I am looking for a shoulder season bag to save space. I was thinking of a 20 degree down bag. My synthetic bag kept me warm but it was bulky and heavy compared to the specs on down.

What makes the 800 version better? Is it lighter because of the higher fill power? Is it warmer? Better construction?

I bought their summer light which has a 32 degree rating a few years ago. The material and craftsmanship is defiantly top notch, along with the weight factor makes it a great bag. I do Think 32 degrees is a stretch for the rating. I find myself using my Big Agnes in any temps under 50 degrees.

rdgbwca: "

timatkn: "
I have a couple of Montbell’s they are very good. If you can swing it the 800 version is better. I use the #3 for 3 season BWCAW use—-the one you linked too is way overkill for that in IMHO. Used to be able to find them on sale at Campsaver...."

I am looking for a shoulder season bag to save space. I was thinking of a 20 degree down bag. My synthetic bag kept me warm but it was bulky and heavy compared to the specs on down.


What makes the 800 version better? Is it lighter because of the higher fill power? Is it warmer? Better construction?"

Lighter, better quality down.

What are the lowest temps do you think you will camp in?

T

This might be a minor point, or maybe even a tangent, but two years ago when I was looking for a new deep winter down bag I had the MW Puma in my sights. I was particularly drawn to the wide shoulder width, as I’ve had some problems with my Marmot Pinnacle 10° bad being too narrow. I went to MW Mountaineering and tried it out along with the Marmot Cwm for comparison. After crawling in and out of both bags, repeatedly, over several days, I found the Marmot more roomy despite the shoulder measurement being reportedly 1 inch less. I’m convinced the MW was wider at one spot, but tapered down more aggressively whereas the Marmot was more gradual and overall more roomy. I went with the Marmot, and have been very happy for past two winters down to -35°. I guess the lesson here is don’t trust the measurements of a bag without getting in it to check.

timatkn: "
Lighter, better quality down.
What are the lowest temps do you think you will camp in?
T"

I want to be able to go in the first couple of weeks of September. So maybe low 30's high 20's?

I believe there is a certain truth in the saying "you get what you pay for". A few years back I wanted to get the warmest winter bag I could (I sleep crazy cold and camp often in temps down to -30C). I ended up buying a Wiggys -60 bag for a few hundred bucks. I took it out on a trip and spent every night freezing cold in it. The next year I saved all I could and bought a Feathered Friends Snowy Owl (-60) and it is night and day difference. By far the warmest sleep I've ever had in the winter. To me, I was able to justify the cost (set me back about $1500) by telling myself how important a good night sleep is in the bush, and by hopefully having the bag for many years to come. I think companies like FF and WM make outstanding products and as long as you can personally justify the cost, I say go for it.

Several years ago, I purchased a Western Mountaineering Alpinlite for my high school aged son. I saved 20% off MSRP with a Midwest Mountaneering sale coupon.

It is a premium product and even at 20% off, still premium priced. Is it worth it? It depends on how you would otherwise use those dollars. My cheap, synthetic, NorthFace Cat's Meow has served me well for 20+ years and looks like it will last my lifetime. It was the best I could afford when I got it. The dollars saved probably afforded me a stove, external frame pack and a ferry fare to Isle Royal. I would certainly have appreciated the higher quality materials of the WM product but not at the cost of all the other equipment I was able to include with the Cat's Meow.

I expect the Alpinlite I purchased for my son will serve him for many, many, many years. I don't know if he will remember me specifically gifting him the Alpinlite but, I know everytime he has an outdoor adventure he will remember times we shared adventures. Perhaps he will enjoy one more trip, one more hike, or one more night in the woods with the Alpinlite than he would with a bag on par with my Cat's Meow.

Was it worth it? Every dime.

rdgbwca: "

timatkn: "
Lighter, better quality down.
What are the lowest temps do you think you will camp in?
T"

I want to be able to go in the first couple of weeks of September. So maybe low 30's high 20's?"

Unless you sleep really cold a quality Montbell, FF, WM 25-35 degree bag will do ya. You know your body though so that is just an opinion. I’d be fine with a 35 degree bag. Also if you have an insulated sleeping pad like a downmat or comparable it helps a lot. Sleeping just in the ground then I’d get a 0-15 degree bag.

T

I had a WM Badger bag. Really liked it, except it was too narrow in the shoulders. Build quality was incredible. Someone here got a good deal on it as I recall!